Shuttle latching mechanism



Aug. 10, 1948. R. H. BOOK ETAL 2,446,588

SHUTTLE LATCHING MECHANIZSM 7 Filed Jan. 25, 1946 2 Sheets-Sheet l m /0 {a l JiZUflZ'O/"S:

Ra mondH 500/1 ee E. Gitbert Patented Aug. 10, 1948 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE SHUTTLE LATCHING MECHANISM Raymond H. Book, Sterling, and Lee E. Gilbert, Dixon, Ill., assignors to Reynolds Wire 00., Dixon, 111., a corporation of Illinois Application January 25, 1946, Serial No. 643,216

Claims. 1

This invention relates to shuttle latching mechanism for shuttles in looms in which the shuttles are positively transferred through the warp in a weaving process,

The invention is particularly designed for use in looms for weaving wire although it is equally applicable for weaving fabric cloth.

In the operation of a loom, two carrying arms reciprocate through the warp of the weave from the sides thereof and meet midway between the sides. The shuttle is carried on one carrying arm until the two carrying arms meet, and then it is transferred to the other carrying arm. The weft wire emerges from a bobbin carried in the shuttle.

At the point of juncture between the carrying arms, due to the speed of the arms and the momentum of the shuttle, there is usually a clash in transferring the shuttle from one arm to the other, resulting in loud noises, and serious wear and tear on the parts.

It is an object of the present invention to reduce the force of impact blow between the shuttle and carrying arms.

In our invention, the carrying arms have slowed down appreciably when the shuttle is about to be transferred, the residual impact force between the shuttle and empty carrying arm being utilized to operate the latching mechanism within the shuttle to latch the shuttle to that arm.

Another object of the invention is to construct a sturdy shuttle latching mechanism which will withstand wear and tear and yet be simple and economical in construction.

Still another object of the invention is to insure that the parts of the shuttle latching mechanism that latch onto the carrying arms are in positive engagement therewith and are constantly biased to latched position.

With these and other objects in View, our invention consists in the construction, arrangement and combination of the various parts of our device whereby the objects contemplated are attained, as hereinafter more fully set forth, pointed out in the claims and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Fig. 1 is -a plan view of the shuttle showing the two carryin arms inserted therein.

, Fig. 2 is a view showing the shuttle after it has been carried to the extreme right.

Fig. 3 shows the shuttle after it has been returned to the center and is about to be connected to the carrying arm to the left.

Fig. 4 shows the shuttle an instant after Fig. 3, that is, just after the shuttle has been connected to the carrying arm to the left and before it is actually drawn to the left.

Fig. 5 shows the shuttle at its limit of movement to the left.

Fig. -6 is a side view of the shuttle body, and

Fig. 7 is an end view of the shuttle body.

Referring now in detail to the drawings, the shuttle body is shown at 8. Detachably mounted in the shuttle body is a bobbin indicated generally at 9 from which weft wire is supplied for the weaving process. This bobbin does not form a part of the present invention but is indicated to complete the description of the operation of .the shuttle.

Two carrying arms are shown at I0 and H. The operation of the carrying arms may be accomplished by any of the well known means for reciprocating the arms toward and away from each other. The carrying arm l0 enters channel l0 and the carrying arm 'l-I enters the channel l.l of the shuttle body. In the center of the shutt-le body is a cut-out portion or cavity I! in which are positioned two arms l4 and I5 pivoted on pins l6 and l1, respectively, inserted through the arms and the shuttle body. It will be noted that the arms l4 and I5 are oppositely directed and are pivoted near each other at the center of the shuttle body. At the free ends of the arms l4 and I5 are projections or hooks l9 and 20, respectively, adapted to engage in notches 2| and 22 in the carrying arms I0 and II, respectively. Cam means M and 25 are formed on the pivoted arms I4 and [5 between the pivots and free ends thereof, A leaf spring 26 is positioned in the cavity l2 with its ends engaging projections 21 and 29 on the free ends of the pivot arms 1'4 and I5. An inwardly projected point 30 on the shuttle body extends into the cavity 12 and serves as a point of reaction against the spring 26 thereby biasing the spring against the pivoted arms 14 and I5 and urging them into contact with the carrying arms 40 and -l l. The hooks l9 and 20, and the notches 2i and 22 in the carrying arms land I I, are cut at-such an angle that they tend to remain in engagement when the carrying arms draw the shuttle away from the center of the machine.

Numeral 3| indicates a slidable member or block which is positioned in the cavity |'2 in line with channels l and II substantially mid way longitudinally of the shuttle body. The upper corners of the slidable member 3| are beveled as indicated at 32 for engaging cam means 24 and 25 on the pivoted arms l4 and IS, the purpose of which will be described later.

A rockable member 34 is pivotally secured to slidable member 3| by means of a pin 35 extending through the two members and into a horizontal, elongated slot 36 formed in the shuttle body. These two members are movable bodily longitudinally as limited by the slot 36, and in addition the rockable member 34 is rockable about pivot' 35 with respect to the slidable member 3|. to a limited extent. The member 34 has a peculiar formation, being generally of a double wedge shape so that the outer ends 31 and 39 thereof can alternately come into contact with the inner ends of the carrying arms l0 and II, respectively, when the member has been rocked in one orgthej other direction about pivot 35. A pin or projec-' tion 40 is mounted on the rockable member 34, the purpose of which will be described later.

- Operation ment to the right. At this point a stud 4| mounted on the loom frame where pin comes into contact with it, rocks the rockable member 34 clockwise, bringing the end 39 thereof out of alignment (with the carryin arm I I and bringin the end 3'! up into the channel l0 where it will be in line with the carrying arm Ill. The shuttle is now about to return to the left.

Figure 3 shows the shuttle after it has been returned from the right to the center of the machine. carrying arm I!) in contact with the end 31 of the rockable member 34. Continued movement of the shuttle to the left against the carrying arm It! will force the rockable member 34 andslidable member 3| to the right to the limit of the slot 36. The position of the various parts of the latch ing mechanism after this movement occurs is shown in Fig. 4. At this point there is no further relative movement between the shuttle and the carrying arm Ill. As a result of the movement of the slidable member 3| to the right, it moves out of contact with cam means 24 and pivoted arm M then becomes latched to the carrying arm I0. In the same movement, the slidable member 3| bears on cam means 25 forcing the pivoted arm |5 out of engagement with the carrying arm thereby releasing the shuttle from the carrying arm I I. The shuttle is now free to be carried to the left on the carrying arm l0.

Fig. 5 shows the shuttle as it is carried to the limit of its movement to the left where a stud or projection 42 is mounted on the loom frame. At this point, pin 40 on'the rockable member 34 comes in contact :with this stud, swinging the rockable member 34 counter-clockwise to the position shown in Figure 5 where the end 31 is brought out of alignment with the carrying arm l0 and the end 39 is brought into channel I and into alignment with the carrying arm The This figure shows the inner end of the 4 shuttle is now returned to the right to the center of the loom, where the procedure is repeated.

It will be noted that the rockable member 34 serves as an extension of the length of the slidable member 3| alternately in the direction desired. This rockable member serves as a means for moving the slidable member 3| while maintaining an effective spacing between the slidable member and the carrying arms, and also prevents the carrying arms from contacting the cam means 24 and 25.

When the carrying arms l0 and H meet there is a tendency forthe shuttle to .be pushed farther onto the arm on which it already rests, shortening the length of travel of the slidable member 3| which would hinder the latching and unlatching action. To prevent this, hardened steel stops "43 are secured to the carrying arms Ill and II at such a distance from their inner ends as to permitentrance into 'the channels l0 and II the proper extent.

Figures 6 and? show the general shape of the shuttle body and indicate the positions of the channelslfl and II.

From the foregoing it will be seen that when the shuttle has reached the center of the loom as for example, at thepoint shown in Figure 3, there is very little further movement of the shuttle; the only additional movement that will take place is that indicated by Figures 3 and 4, that is, just suflicient to operate the latching mechanism. This construction therefore substantially reduces shock and although the shuttle is subjected to hard service, this construction is simple and rugged enough to withstand wear for a great length of time.

While we have shown a specific embodiment of our invention, wedo not expect it to be limiting but only illustrative. and numerous modifications in detail are intended to be within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

We claim:

1. A shuttle and latching mechanism therefor for use in a loom of the type having a pair of reciprocating carrying arms adapted alternately to carry a shuttle, said shuttle latching mechanism comprising, in combination, connecting means for alternately connecting the shuttle to said carrying arms, a slidable member for disconnecting said connecting means from said carrying arms, said slidable member being operable by the thrust of said carrying arms, and a rockable member mounted on and carried by said slidable member for receiving the thrust from said carrying arms and transmitting the same to said slidable member.

2. A'shuttle and latching mechanism therefor for-use in a loom of the type having a pair of reciprocating arms adapted to alternately carry a shuttle, said shuttle latching mechanism comprising, in combination, a pivoted arm cooperating with each of said carrying arms for alternately connecting the shuttle to its respective carrying arm, spring means biasing said pivoted armsinto engagement with their respective carrying arms, cam means on each of said pivoted arms, and. a slidable member adapted to engage either of said cam means and thereby unlatch its corresponding pivoted arm from its respective carrying arm, said slidable member being operable by the thrust of said carrying arms.

3. A shuttle and latching mechanism therefor for use in a loom of the type having a pair of reciprocating carrying arms adapted to alternately carry a shuttle. said shuttle latching mechanism comprising in combination, a latching member cooperating with each of said carrying arms for alternately connecting the shuttle to its respective carrying arm, means tending to latch said latching members to their respective carrying arms, a slidable member adapted to unlatch said latching members from their respective carrying arms, said slidable member being operable by the thrust of said carrying arms, and means mounted on said slidable memher for increasing its effective length in either direction alternately.

4. A shuttle latching mechanism for use in a loom of the type having a pair of reciprocating carrying arms which move toward and away from one another and are adapted to alternately carry a shuttle, said shuttle latching mechanism comprising, in combination, a shuttle, a latching member cooperating with each of said carrying arms for alternately connecting the shuttle to its respective carrying arm, means tending to latch said latching members to their respective carrying arms, a slidable member adapted to unlatch said latching members from their respective carrying arms, said slidable member being operable by the thrust of said carrying arms, and a rockable member mounted on and movable with said slidable member for receiving the thrust from said carrying arms and transmitting the same to said slidable member, and said rockable member increasing the efiective length of said slidable member alternately in the direction thereof toward the empty carrying arm.

5. Shuttle latching mechanism for use in a loom of the type having a pair of reciprocating carrying arms which move toward and away from one another, and are adapted alternately to carry a shuttle, said shuttle latching mechanism comprising, in combination, a latching member cooperating with each of said carrying arms forhlternately connecting the shuttle to its respective carrying arm, means tending to force said latching members into latching position, a slidable member for unlatching said latching members, said slidable member being operated by the inward stroke of the respective carrying arms, and a rockable member carried by and movable with said slidable member for receiving thrust from said carrying arms and transmitting the same to said slidable member, said rockable member being positionable responsive to the outward stroke of said carrying arms.

6. Shuttle latching mechanism for use in a loom of the type having projections thereon and a pair of reciprocating carrying arms which move toward and away from one another and are adapted alternately to carry a shuttle, said shuttle latching mechanism comprising in combination, a latching member cooperating with each of said carrying arms for alternately connecting the shuttle to its respective carrying arm, means tending to force said latching members into latching position, a slidable member for unlatching said latching members, said slidable member being operated by the thrust of said carrying arms, and a rockable member carried by and movable with said slidable member for receiving the thrust from said carrying arms and transmitting the same to said slidable member, said rockable member being positionable by contact with projections on the loom while being carried by said carrying arms.

.7. shuttle latching mechanism for use in a loom of the type having projections thereon and a pair of reciprocating carrying arms which move toward and away from one another and are adapted alternately to carry a shuttle, said shuttle latching mechanism comprising in combination, a latching member cooperating with each of said carrying arms for alternately connecting the shuttle to its respective carrying arm, means tending to force said latching members into-latched position, a slidable member for unlatching said latching members, said slidable member being operated bythe thrust of said carrying arms, and a rockable member carried by and movable with said slidable member for receiving the thrust from said carrying arms and transmitting the same to said slidable member, said rockable member being positionable by contact with said projections on the loom at the end of the outward stroke of said respective carrying arms.

8. A shuttle latching mechanism for use in a loom of the type having a pair of reciprocating carrying arms adapted to alternately carry a shuttle, said shuttle latch mechanism comprising, in combination, a pair of oppositely directed pivoted arms adapted to engage and latch to their respective carrying arms for connecting the shuttle thereto, said pivoted arms having their pivots adjacent each other and having projections on the free ends thereof for engaging cooperating detents on said carrying arms, cam means on each of said pivoted arms positioned between the pivots and free ends thereof, a leaf spring biasing said pivoted arms into engagement with said carrying arms, and a slidable member adjacent the pivots of said pivoted arms coacting with said cam means for moving said pivoted arms to unlatched position, said slidable member being operable by the thrust of said carrying arms.

9. A shuttle latching mechanism for use in a loom of the type having a pair of reciprocating carrying arms adapted to alternately carry a shuttle, said shuttle latch mechanism comprising, in combination, a pair of oppositely directed pivoted arms adapted to engage and latch to their respective carrying arms for connecting the shuttle thereto, said pivoted arms having their pivots adjacent each other and having projections on the free ends thereof for engaging cooperating detents on said carrying arms, cam means on each of said pivoted arms positioned between the pivots and free ends thereof, a leaf spring biasing said pivoted arms into engagement with said carrying arms, a slidable member adjacent the pivots of said pivoted arms coacting with said cam means for moving said pivoted arms to unlatched position, said slidable member being operable by the thrust of said carrying arms, and a rockable member mounted on and movable with said slidable member, said rockable member being positionable to extend beyond the ends of said slidable member alternately for receiving the thrust from said carrying arms and transmitting the same to said slidable member.

10. A shuttle latching mechanism for use in a loom of the type having a pair of reciprocating carrying arms adapted to alternately carry a shuttle, said shuttle latching mechanism comprising, in combination, a pair of oppositely directed pivoted arms adapted to engage and latch to their respective carrying arms for connecting the shuttle thereto, said pivoted arms having their pivots adjacent each other and having projections on the free ends thereof for engaging cooperating detents on said carrying arms, cam means on each of said pivoted arms positioned between the pivots REFERENCES CITED and free ends thereof, a leaf spring biasing said a pivoted arms into engagement with said carrying g tf fig gg gg are of record m the arms, and a slidable member adjacent the pivots of said pivoted arms coacting with said cam means 5 UNITED STATES PATENTS for moving said pivoted arms to unlatched posi- Number 7 Name Date tion, said slidable member being operable by the 116 435 Graham June 27, 1371 thrust of said carrying arms, and being of such Graham July 15 1879 length as to coact with only one of said cam means 291344 Greenman Jam 1834 at a time, whereby, at all times one of said pivoted 10 3772o7 Maw Jan 31 1836 arms is biased into engagement with its respective carrying arm, n FOREIGN PATENTS RAYMOND BOOK- Number Country Date LEE GILBERT- 423,307 Germany Dec. 30, 1925 

